The Brooklynettes were back in Barbados on Monday and Tuesday, auditioning dancers to yet again join them for Barbados Night at the Barclays Centre in New York. The six dancers going to New York are Ghelisa Mayers, Eshe Blackett, Cherish Hobbs, Amaris Clarke, Cristiana McConney and Shari Pollard.
Part of an ongoing partnership with the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc, this is the second year that the dance team – the official dancers for the Brooklyn Nets – have come to Barbados looking for talent. The Barbadian dancers they chose last year were Aisha Comissiong, Zhane Padmore, Asha Weekes, Nandi Yard, Keisha Dowridge and Shameka Walters. Five of them were on hand at this week’s auditions as judges.
The auditions were held at the Errol Barrow Centre for Creative Imagination in two parts. At the end of the first day of auditions, finalists were chosen for call backs the next day.
Five of the six dancers – Eshe Blackett, Cherish Hobbs, Amaris Clarke, Cristiana McConney and Shari Pollard – are part of Trident Productions, a local talent agency representing dancers, choreographers, models, cheerleaders and musicians. Trident’s CEO, Justin Poleon, was just cast in the Madrid production of the Lion King stage musical.
Ghelisa Mayers is a member of local dance group Riddim Tribe which had three dancers – Aisha Comissiong, Zhane Padmore and Nandi Yarde – join the Brooklynettes last year.
Criscia Long, the Director of Entertainment for the Brooklynettes, spoke to Barbados Today saying, “We’re always nervous coming here not knowing about the dance community but they are bringing it. They are doing great.” The team’s coach, Ashley Singh added:
“Everyone has a fun energy and vibe. Right now the abilities in the advanced levels of dance are really high. The fact that these ladies are taking the time to come out and again, the steps are being executed really well.”
